Schwintec slides

[PTParker]

I have Schwintec slide issues big time! Who should I contact Schwintec, Lippert, or Grand Design? The trailer is a 2021 so out of warranty, even though I have had issues since day one with the slides not staying in sync! Every time I get them in sync, the next trip they will not deploy from just sitting there! Got home this time, the slides came in perfect at the campground, then got home and neither slide would come in! Tried to over ride the controllers and both buttons on the controller came off, so now I can't even override them to get them out!

 

[Soundsailor]

Some of those slides were recalled depending on when they were manufactured. I'd contact both Lippert and GD.

 

[PTParker]

Some of those slides were recalled depending on when they were manufactured. I'd contact both Lippert and GD.

Ok, thanks! I went on customer support for Lippert and they wanted the fault code and to measure clearance. the clearance is perfect on the slide. But, now both buttons have fallen off the controllers and I can't even override system now and the new controllers are $250.00 dollars each! I finally got one slide out the other is saying it has a short between the motor and controller! Do you know what the recall was for on the slides?

 

[Soundsailor]

Take a look at this post: https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/showthread.php/49061-Schwintek-TSB?highlight=Schwinteck

 

[PTParker]

Take a look at this post: https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/showthread.php/49061-Schwintek-TSB?highlight=Schwinteck

Thanks, but I don't think that is my problem? Mine was built early in model build. I got the trailer in July of 2020 but it was a 2021 model, must have been right after they started building them. One slide throws a code of a short between motor and controller. I had this checked at an RV repair shop not long after I got trailer but after a week of trying, they could not replicate the condition. It worked good for about a year then started having trouble again. Not sure about the other slide, neither has ever stayed in sync for any length of time! Now I have had to over ride them so much both buttons broke off the controllers yesterday! Now I can't even override them at all! Looks like it will cost me over 500 dollars to replace both controllers if I can't repair them!

 

[Second Chance]

Thread moved to Slide Systems.

Rob

 

[NB Canada]

What buttons btw?

Can’t you just unplug the wiring harness to the motors?
Is that not the procedure?
It will allow them to move if unplugged

 

[Soundsailor]

What buttons btw?

Can’t you just unplug the wiring harness to the motors?
Is that not the procedure?
It will allow them to move if unplugged

Just unplugging them won't be enough. You have to remove the set screw that engages the motor. Then it should be possible to move the slide in and out by hand. Unfortunately, it is not easy to get at that set screw. See Figure 1A in the document below:

View attachment In wall slideout assembly ccd-0001770.pdf

I've attached some troubleshooting procedures.

It is also possible to get third party parts that work for the slides, I got mine on Amazon for a fraction of what Lippert/GD charges.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DPCGTT9
https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-Components-238744-Controller-Harness/dp/B07YM33RS2
https://www.amazon.com/LippertTM-Replacement-V-Sync-Controller-wall/dp/B01LOIX79M

 

[PTParker]

Just unplugging them won't be enough. You have to remove the set screw that engages the motor. Then it should be possible to move the slide in and out by hand. Unfortunately, it is not easy to get at that set screw. See Figure 1A in the document below:

View attachment 51050

I've attached some troubleshooting procedures.

It is also possible to get third party parts that work for the slides, I got mine on Amazon for a fraction of what Lippert/GD charges.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DPCGTT9
https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-Components-238744-Controller-Harness/dp/B07YM33RS2
https://www.amazon.com/LippertTM-Replacement-V-Sync-Controller-wall/dp/B01LOIX79M

Thanks for the links. I took the controllers off and rebuilt them. Thankfully I found all the parts that fell off! I have had more issues with these slides than all other problems I have had with my trailers in the last 40 years of camping! If something does not give I will have a Grand Design Reflection for sale! These slides have to be the biggest piece of junk they have ever put on a camper!

 

[eeshelman]

Fault between motor and controller

Thanks, but I don't think that is my problem? Mine was built early in model build. I got the trailer in July of 2020 but it was a 2021 model, must have been right after they started building them. One slide throws a code of a short between motor and controller. I had this checked at an RV repair shop not long after I got trailer but after a week of trying, they could not replicate the condition. It worked good for about a year then started having trouble again. Not sure about the other slide, neither has ever stayed in sync for any length of time! Now I have had to over ride them so much both buttons broke off the controllers yesterday! Now I can't even override them at all! Looks like it will cost me over 500 dollars to replace both controllers if I can't repair them!

I struggled with the same problem you are describing where the code says there is a fault between the motor and controller. While at the national rally last year, Lippert installed a new motor, but that did not solve the problem. Finally, this spring I just replaced the cable for the motor on the side that was giving me problems. This was relatively simple to do and only entailed loosening a 3 foot section of the underbelly on either side and pushing the new cable through taped to a long broom handle. (Yours could be easier depending on location of controller in relation to slide motor.) My slide has been working flawlessly ever since. Lippert sells new cables for about $105.

 

[Mr. Goodwrench]

Thanks, but I don't think that is my problem? Mine was built early in model build. I got the trailer in July of 2020 but it was a 2021 model, must have been right after they started building them. One slide throws a code of a short between motor and controller. I had this checked at an RV repair shop not long after I got trailer but after a week of trying, they could not replicate the condition. It worked good for about a year then started having trouble again. Not sure about the other slide, neither has ever stayed in sync for any length of time! Now I have had to over ride them so much both buttons broke off the controllers yesterday! Now I can't even override them at all! Looks like it will cost me over 500 dollars to replace both controllers if I can't repair them!

Check out Vroom Slide Systems. They make and install a replacement system for those stupid Schwintek slides. I think they are located in Arizona? I'm sure they have a web site. Many folks have had their slide systems replaced by them.

 

[kb0zke]

Any idea of the cost of the conversion from Schwintek to Vroom?

 

[Mr. Goodwrench]

Any idea of the cost of the conversion from Schwintek to Vroom?

I don't have knowledge of actual pricing but go to their website vroomslidesystems.com to learn more about the system. They have contact info there for more info and to schedule installations.

 

[PTParker]

I struggled with the same problem you are describing where the code says there is a fault between the motor and controller. While at the national rally last year, Lippert installed a new motor, but that did not solve the problem. Finally, this spring I just replaced the cable for the motor on the side that was giving me problems. This was relatively simple to do and only entailed loosening a 3 foot section of the underbelly on either side and pushing the new cable through taped to a long broom handle. (Yours could be easier depending on location of controller in relation to slide motor.) My slide has been working flawlessly ever since. Lippert sells new cables for about $105.

I have wondered if that was the problem. How did you access the wire where it connects to the motor? I can't even get my fingers in there past the seal to see the plug. My controllers are in the front pass though and my slide is at the back of the trailer. So, I may have to take most of my underbelly loose to run the wire, and my trailer is 35' long! I would have to have a cable at least 30' to reach. I tried to see if the plug might be loose and have a bad connection but could not seem to access it from inside or outside? The thing is, I have trouble with both slides getting out of time? The sofa and fridge slide is worse, but also have trouble with the bedroom slide. Seems more times than not I have to over ride the controller to get them in and out!

 

[jas451]

Any idea of the cost of the conversion from Schwintek to Vroom?

$4500 +/- ......includes replacing all the weather seals, strips, reinforcement of the slide-out, the gear racks, motors.

 

[dryfly]

I have wondered if that was the problem. How did you access the wire where it connects to the motor? I can't even get my fingers in there past the seal to see the plug. My controllers are in the front pass though and my slide is at the back of the trailer. So, I may have to take most of my underbelly loose to run the wire, and my trailer is 35' long! I would have to have a cable at least 30' to reach. I tried to see if the plug might be loose and have a bad connection but could not seem to access it from inside or outside? The thing is, I have trouble with both slides getting out of time? The sofa and fridge slide is worse, but also have trouble with the bedroom slide. Seems more times than not I have to over ride the controller to get them in and out!

In post #3 you mentioned contacting Lippert. I don't know if you spoke by email, but if so I'd call them on the phone and have a conversation. I found the rep I spoke with to be very knowledgeable and helpful.

I did not find it that difficult to get to the motor and connector from the inside. Check out the several YouTube videos available if you have not already. Re-seat the connector first before trying anything else.

The longer Schwintek cables are pricey so I bought a short one just for the connectors and spliced in a long run of 6 conductor cable as a DIY project. This is for testing purposes should I have problems.

I'm not a fan of the Schwintek system but I've learned to live with it by learning more about how it works and having spare parts to use if necessary. Watch some of the YouTube videos and then talk to Lippert by phone before you give up. Good luck (you will need it).

 

[PTParker]

In post #3 you mentioned contacting Lippert. I don't know if you spoke by email, but if so I'd call them on the phone and have a conversation. I found the rep I spoke with to be very knowledgeable and helpful.

I did not find it that difficult to get to the motor and connector from the inside. Check out the several YouTube videos available if you have not already. Re-seat the connector first before trying anything else.

The longer Schwintek cables are pricey so I bought a short one just for the connectors and spliced in a long run of 6 conductor cable as a DIY project. This is for testing purposes should I have problems.

I'm not a fan of the Schwintek system but I've learned to live with it by learning more about how it works and having spare parts to use if necessary. Watch some of the YouTube videos and then talk to Lippert by phone before you give up. Good luck (you will need it).

Thanks for all the info! I will try and see if I can access from the inside, my problem is it is against a wall and to be able to reach I will have to run in far enough to stand in the bathroom door and I won't be able to get out of the bathroom! Don't know if I trust my wife being able to override the slide to get it out enough for me to get out of the bathroom!

 

[PTParker]

$4500 +/- ......includes replacing all the weather seals, strips, reinforcement of the slide-out, the gear racks, motors.

I think it would be cheaper to trade trailers than spend 9,000 dollars to replace the slides! If I can't get them working better, that is probably what I will do!

 

[eeshelman]

Running new cable for Schwintek slide

I have wondered if that was the problem. How did you access the wire where it connects to the motor? I can't even get my fingers in there past the seal to see the plug. My controllers are in the front pass though and my slide is at the back of the trailer. So, I may have to take most of my underbelly loose to run the wire, and my trailer is 35' long! I would have to have a cable at least 30' to reach. I tried to see if the plug might be loose and have a bad connection but could not seem to access it from inside or outside? The thing is, I have trouble with both slides getting out of time? The sofa and fridge slide is worse, but also have trouble with the bedroom slide. Seems more times than not I have to over ride the controller to get them in and out!

There are about 4 inches of wire available on top of the motor before the connector to the cable that runs back to the controller. When your slide is in at least partway, you can remove the bulb seal from the inside (just slide down) and then reach behind the wiper seal to get to, the top of the motor to disconnect the cable. Once I had that done, I just taped the old cable up and left it in the underbelly and pushed the new cable to the controller. The replacement cables that Lippert sells are at least 25 feet long. Before replacing the controller, I had to override the controller so often that I cut a notch in the back of my pots and pans drawer, so I could reach in and hit the controller without removing the drawer.

 

[dryfly]

Thanks for all the info! I will try and see if I can access from the inside, my problem is it is against a wall and to be able to reach I will have to run in far enough to stand in the bathroom door and I won't be able to get out of the bathroom! Don't know if I trust my wife being able to override the slide to get it out enough for me to get out of the bathroom!

I just looked at your floorplan and I see what you mean. Even if you trap yourself inside the bathroom I can't see how there would be enough room to work on the motor between the bathroom wall and the slide wall. Looks like your best bet is to have the slide retracted in about 12" and reach around the slide wall. You might be able to take the fascia trim off of the front of the slide wall and have more room to see and reach the motor.